BFA in Drama - New York University, Tisch School of the Arts (1993)

Won the 2004 Tony Award® Best Actress in a Musical for Elphaba in Wicked.

Cracked a rib as a result of a fall through a trap door during a matinée show in "Wicked" on 8 January 2005, and could not perform the next day, what was to be hear last performance. Her standby Shoshana Bean covered for her, but Idina made a special out-of-costume appearance and did her final song to a standing ovation before being bid farewell at the curtain call (along with Joey McIntyre who was also leaving that day).

Her last name was originally spelled "Mentzel" but she decided to take the T out because everyone pronounced it incorrectly.

Oldest nephew is named Avery. He was born in 2000.

Name is pronounced "Ih-DEE-nah men-ZELL."

Won Broadway's 2004 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for her role as Elphaba in "Wicked." She had previously been nominated as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) in 1996 for her portrayal of Maureen in "Rent."

Parents are Stuart and Helene Mentzel (divorced)

In the 5th grade, she played Dorothy in her school's production of "The Wizard of Oz."

Has a younger sister, Cara

She was named after her great grandmother, Ida, and her name is Hebrew for "gentle".

Her Rent character, Maureen, is based on Musetta from La Boheme. Two references are made to this. Roger's attempts to write a song resemble "Musetta's Waltz," which Mark directly points out. Musett'a Waltz was also the basis for "The Tango Maureen."

Sings a duet, entitled "I Will Be There", with the late Ray Charles on the album "Genius and Friends" which was released September 20th, 2005.

Sister, Cara, is three years younger.

Met husband Taye Diggs when both were starring in the original Broadway production of Rent. They later co-starred in The Wild Party (Off-Broadway) and Wicked (Broadway).

Has a single on soundtrack of The Other Sister (1999), "Follow If You Lead".

Graduate of Syosset High School, Syosset, New York.